Choose the suitable server between Bluehost and Namecheap - Do you have difficulty choosing between Bluehost and Namecheap? If so, this Bluehost review with Namecheap will be what you need to know.
In this section, we will dive into the features and pricing side of the WordPress package that both hosting providers offer, sharing the results of the page speed test that we have run and put you to experience at each server with screenshots of the real interface.
By the end of this article, you'll have a clear idea of which server and package best suits your site's needs.
Bluehost with Namecheap: Comparison of features
Both Bluehost and Namecheap are reputable companies in domain name and hosting field. Although Bluehost is more popular, Namecheap has recently gained a lot of attention, based on its reputation as a leading domain registrar, offering an improved range of hosting packages.
Bluehost and Namecheap each seller chooses the shared hosting package, combining the type of features that are suitable for WordPress. Let's have a look
Bluehost
Bluehost provides both shared and managed WordPress hosting. Here are a few features you should expect to benefit if you choose to share WordPress hosting
- Free domain name (for the first year)
- Bandwidth is asymmetric
- Website and unlimited capacity (excluding low-level Basic packages)
- Free SSL certificate
- Install WordPress automatically
- Update WordPress automatically
- Website staging WordPress easily
As you will see, these shared packages provide a selection of useful tools and features within WordPress. However, if you're looking for more advanced WordPress hosting options, take a look at the managed WordPress hosting package on Bluehost.
Namecheap
Namecheap also provides both shared and managed WordPress hosting plans. Again, here we also focus on shared hosting features
- Install WordPress with one click (via Softacificent application installer)
- Free domain name (for the first year)
- Unlimited websites
- Bandwidth is asymmetric
- Guaranteed 100% uptime
- Backup
- Free website migration (this is unique because Bluehost does not provide free migration)
For anyone who wants to access specific features on WordPress, see Namecheap managed WordPress service called EasyWP.
Bluehost vs Namecheap: User experience
Now that you know what Bluehost and Namecheap are offering, check out the user experience you would expect if you signed up with this hosting provider.
Bluehost user experience
Bluehost is extremely user friendly, boasting a control panel built for intuitive purposes and access to cPanel (if necessary).
On shared hosting packages, Bluehost will automatically install WordPress for you, making the process of setting up a new website extremely quick and easy.
During the installation of the new WordPress, you'll find the Bluehost menu that helps streamline the setup process and Create website with you.
The Bluehost menu can help users:
- Create pages and blog posts
- Menu manager
- Install WooCommerce
- Establish organizational area
- Enable caching
You can also purchase themes and plugins through Bluehost.
Overall, Bluehost has tried to ensure that Create website New is quick and easy, even for newbies.
Namecheap user experience
Namecheap is also very user friendly, although it provides a slightly different experience to Bluehost. Once you have set up your account with Namecheap, you can view and manage your account, domain name, hosting package in your side panel.
However, unlike Bluehost, to set up a new website, you will need to do so via the Softacious Application Installer in cPanel.
Although the Softacious Application Installer is easy to use, it does not compare to the automatic WordPress installation that Bluehost provides.
Namecheap will install WordPress with the free W3 Total Cache plugin, to help improve your website loading time. However, unlike Bluehost, it does not come with any kind of boot wizard or menu.
The user-friendly feature that Namecheap provides is its website migration service. If you have an existing website hosted with another web server, Namecheap will transfer this website for free to you. This is a service not provided by Bluehost.
To conclude on the ‘user experience’, if you are a beginner or just feel like you will benefit from an extremely user friendly hosting provider, then Bluehost is for you. That doesn't mean Namecheap doesn't provide a good user experience and for most customers it will work well but it is not comparable to Bluehost's standards.
Bluehost with Namecheap: Support
Both Bluehost and Namecheap provide good quality support. Each side has an in-depth knowledge base, containing articles and instructions to help users fix any problems they will encounter.
Namecheap also provides 24/7 email support and live chat. Bluehost also supports 24/7 via phone and live chat. So, if access to phone support is important to you, Bluehost is a better option because Namecheap does not support over the phone.
We used both Bluehost and Namecheap live chat services, only to be impressed by the response time and support from both services.
Bluehost with Namecheap: Performance
Choosing a hosting provider that works well and making sure fast loading times are important. Therefore, we tested both Bluehost and Namecheap to give you an idea of what you expect of the performance from this hosting provider.
To run the test, we set up a new website with a new WordPress installation and tested the load time on each page with Pingdom, a popular speed testing tool on WordPress. Here are the results
Bluehost:
- Washington DC: 2.75 seconds
- San Francisco: 2.86 seconds
- London: 3.43 seconds
- Sydney: 3.73 seconds
- Tokyo: 2.87 seconds
Namecheap:
- New York: 1.1 seconds
- San Jose, CA: 610 ms
- Stockholm: 2.22 seconds
- Melbourne: 3.14 seconds
As you can see Namecheap has faster loading time.
Bluehost with Namecheap: Price
For many people, the hosting price is the deciding factor when choosing a new hosting provider. As mentioned, both Bluehost and Namecheap offer a wide range of packages, all with slightly different prices and promotions.
The cheapest shared WordPress hosting package with Bluehost, for only $ 2.95. However, to benefit from this deal, you will need to sign up for a 36-month payment plan, a full payment when you sign up (totaling $ 106.20). Also note that when your three-year term expires, this plan will renew at $ 7.99 / month.
Namecheap's cheapest package costs $ 2.88 / month. However, if you sign up for an annual contract, you'll only have to pay $ 1.44 for that initial term (the plan is then renewed at $ 2.88).
The unique thing is, with Namecheap, you are choosing to pay by the month. So if you don't want to pay up front in full, then Namecheap is a good choice for you.
Both Namecheap and Bluehost offer similar initial terms on price. However, Namecheap offers a more flexible payment option, as well as a much lower renewal price.
Both hosting providers also offer a 1-month money back guarantee. This gives you peace of mind that if you sign up but later find the service is not right for you, you get a refund.
Bluehost with Namecheap: Which hosting provider should you choose?
Both Bluehost and Namecheap have a lot to offer, but you only need one of these providers. Here is how to choose
Choose Bluehost if:
You are a beginner or very user-friendly tool. In that case, the intuitive control panel and integrated WordPress installation with Bluehost will suit your needs.
Bluehost is also your best option if you are looking for an unlimited hosting package (for example: bandwidth, unregulated hosting, as well as a website, unlimited domain name). However, to access this feature, you'll need to choose the Plus or Choice Plus package (prices start at $ 5.45 / month for a three-year term).
If you want to find out more, check out the full review about Bluehost from us.
Choose Namecheap if:
Namecheap offers much cheaper hosting packages, as well as monthly payment options. So, if the main criterion on your side with the new server is low prices or you don't want to pay big fees before signing up, then Namecheap is a good choice.
Namecheap also offers 100% uptime guarantee and free website migration service - both features that many people look for when choosing a new server and not something that Bluehost offers.
Namecheap also outperforms Bluehost when it comes to website loading time. Although this Pingdom test is just a snapshot of how this server performed, the results are worth considering.
See more: How to create a form in wordpress
Epilogue
If you are still unsure whether to choose Namecheap or Bluehost, our recommendation for most WordPress users is Bluehost. The combination of ease of use, full performance, and support options make it a great starting point for most people who want to access it online.
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